Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
MIT is ranked #2 by US News & World Report in their list of Best Global Universities
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Develop the Strategic Edge for Operations Leadership
Amid growing disruption, be it geopolitical shifts, economic volatility, or the rapid evolution of technologies, including AI and automation, 75% of C-suite executives feel underprepared to lead. In a world where operational excellence is no longer enough, executives must rise as strategic, future-ready leaders.
MIT xPRO’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program is a 9- to 12-month learning journey designed to equip executives like you with the mindset, tools, and frameworks to lead with confidence and clarity. Whether you're preparing to step into the COO role or looking to sharpen your impact as a current operations leader, the curriculum will provide a blend of strategic thinking, leadership development, and systems-level insights needed to drive meaningful impact and resilience across your organization.
The program will equip you with the critical leadership framework needed to:
- Assess your organization’s current business strategy and priorities to identify opportunities and threats and plan for organizational growth
- Manage organizational change to align and execute initiatives that support your organization’s goals
- Build a supportive organizational culture that fosters high-performing, cross-functional teams
- Champion business transformation by adopting a data-driven approach to assessing and implementing tools, systems, and processes
- Lead innovation and future-proof the business by leveraging emerging technologies
900+
83%
100%
Sources: PRCA Asia Pacific; Emeritus Impact Survey 2024
Testimonials
Past Participant Profile
Top Industries
Work Experience
Where Past Learners Come From
Disclaimer: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of product and company names does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the holders.
The list of companies is only indicative and not exhaustive.
Key Program Features
Expert Faculty
Gain insights from world-renowned faculty who are experts in organizational strategy, leadership, and technology.
Executive Reflection
Curate your program insights to develop over-arching executive reflections that will serve as a resource for application in your organization.
Flexible Learning Journey
Customize the learning journey with a choice of topical electives to gain skills specific to career goals.
Success Coach
Craft your learning journey in line with your career goals with a success coach assigned to your cohort.
Self-Paced Learning
Access recorded faculty sessions that provide the flexibility to learn at your own pace and convenience.
AI Speaker Sessions (Live Online)
AI for Strategy—Rethinking Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI: Understand how AI is reshaping strategy fundamentals, including market positioning, resource allocation, and value creation.
Generative AI and Strategy Reinvention: Examine how generative AI influences strategy formulation, innovation pipelines, and customer value across industries.
Agentic AI: Learn how agentic AI can streamline operations, automate complex processes, and embed AI-driven decision-making within enterprises.
Geopolitical Risk Management in Tech Strategy: Gain frameworks for navigating geopolitical risks with a focus on supply chain resilience and regulatory requirements.
Boardroom Readiness: Prepare leaders for governance, risk management, ethical deployment, and innovation oversight in an AI-driven era.
*Live session schedules are subject to change based on speaker availability.
Learning Journey
This 9- to 12-month learning journey includes a combination of self-paced modules and live interaction.
Curriculum
The comprehensive curriculum will equip you to think holistically about your organization’s business needs and develop strategies to drive growth and create value. The expertly developed online and live online curriculum structured around three core pillars, spread over 19 weeks on strategy, business transformation, and leadership. You will learn through a mix of online sessions, video lectures, guest speaker sessions, and weekly assignments.
Note:
The program duration of 26 weeks excludes 2 weeks of orientation and break weeks between modules.
The list of topics and live session schedule are subject to change.
Electives
To supplement your core program learning, you will choose two electives aligned with your professional goals and organizational challenges. These electives are designed to explore practical strategies that enhance your skill set and help advance your career. Each elective is taught over 6 to 10 weeks. The choice of electives includes:
Designing and Building AI Products and Services:
Gain the strategic and technical insight needed to turn AI opportunities into practical solutions that drive competitive advantage.
Internet of Things (IoT) — Design and Applications:
Learn how to evaluate, implement, and lead IoT initiatives that unlock new efficiencies, enhance operations, and enable innovative business models.
Supply Chain Management: Leading with AI and Digital Transformation:
Develop the capabilities to lead digital transformation across complex supply chain networks, enabling greater agility, visibility, and resilience across your organization and its partners.
Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.
On-Campus Networking Event | 2 days
Join the program faculty and your peers from your cohort in person on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts for an optional two-day networking event. This gathering offers the unique opportunity to connect not only with your peers but also with professionals from other cohorts, helping to build a lifelong network of global executives.
Note: A registration fee of US$250 is applicable. The event will not necessarily be held immediately after program module completion.
Case Studies
CRISPR Therapeutics’ Strategy
Gain insights into navigating uncertainty and scaling innovation by examining how CRISPR Therapeutics leveraged strategic partnerships and operational agility to lead in the competitive biotech space. Learn how to apply these lessons to balance long-term vision with real-time execution in fast-changing industries.
Thai Flooding Impact Spreads Across World for Toyota (Reuters)
Learn how to assess and manage supply chain risk through the lens of Toyota’s response to the 2011 Thailand floods. Apply systems thinking principles, including Little’s Law, the Bullwhip effect, and network modelling, to build more resilient, disruption-ready operations.
Monte Carlo Simulation: What It Is, How It Works, History, 4 Key Steps (Will Kenton – Investopedia)
Explore how to identify and manage fragility in complex systems by examining real-world Black Swan events. Learn to use simulation tools, including Monte Carlo modelling, to forecast risk and make better decisions in high-uncertainty environments.
Bull Automotive Inc. – Cesim Global Challenge
Step into the role of a decision-maker at a global automotive firm navigating the shift to hybrid, electric, and hydrogen vehicles for this simulation activity. Practice making strategic choices across R&D, operations, finance, and sustainability, developing the skills to lead through market shifts, regulatory pressure, and innovation challenges in a complex global landscape.
Faculty Director
Senior Lecturer and Senior Program Manager, Daniel J. Riccio Graduate Program in Engineering Leadership
David Niño, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program, where he heads leadership education for graduate students across the Insti...
Meet the Faculty
The program is designed and delivered by renowned faculty who bring their cutting-edge expertise on key technology accelerators, combined with principles of organizational strategy and leadership. The cross-functional faculty are drawn from MIT’s Mechanical Engineering Department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and AeroAstro Department, as well as the MIT School of Management. You will also participate in sessions, where you will have the opportunity to engage with guest speakers, the success coach and visiting faculty who are subject matter experts.
Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at the MIT School of Management
William E. Leonhard (1940) Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT
Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT
Professor of Digital Media and Artificial Intelligence at MIT
Erwin H. Schell Professor of Management Emeritus Professor, Organization Studies
Academic Director and Sr. Lecturer, System Design and Management(SDM). Associate Director, Engineering Systems Lab
Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Management. Professor, Work and Organization Studies. Associate Deanfor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT; Class of 1957 Career Development Professor
Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Director, MIT Digital Supply Chain Transformation Lab Executive Director, MIT SCM Master's Program
Fred Fort Flowers (1941) and Daniel Fort Flowers (1941) Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT
Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT
Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at MIT
Note: Faculty list is subject to change.
Success Coaches
PhD, ACC
Dr. O’Malley has nearly 20 years of experience partnering with senior leaders across industries. Ali specializes in the design and implementation of interventions to help lead...
Certified ICF coach
The bulk of Lauren’s experience has been in tech with over 27 years in the corporate environment. She led several teams at Verizon in her 22 years of service primarily in Prod...
PhD, MBA
Melissa Norcross is an accomplished strategy executive, having held leadership positions at organizations ranging from Fortune 100 to high growth technology companies. Melissa...
Who Is It For?
The COO Program is ideal for:
Newly appointed COOs at mid-to-large organizations who are tasked with implementing new processes and initiatives that optimize current business operations
Heads of operations, vice presidents, and other senior executives looking to gain executive leadership skills and advance into C-level positions
Participants are required to have:
Minimum 10 years of work experience
Fluency in written and spoken English
International exposure (preferred)
Certificate
Upon successful completion of this program, MIT xPRO grants a verified certificate of completion to participants. In addition to the certificate, participants will also earn 15.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). These CEUs quantify the time you have invested in structured learning as part of your professional development.
Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.
FAQs
Connect With a Program Advisor for a 1:1 Session
Our program advisors have helped senior executives across the world choose the right program for their career goals. Schedule a one-on-one to get a deeper understanding on why the COO Program is the right fit for you.
Email: mit_coo@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 646 713 0918 (U.S.) / +44 1156 471388 (U.K.) / +971 80 0035704133 (U.A.E.) / +52 55965 38957 (LATAM) / 000 8009191979 (India*) / +65 3138 4749 (S.G.)
*If you are dialing the India number, please make sure to include the first three zeros (000).
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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